Vamana Purana — Vishnu's Sleep (Ashunya-Shayana), Shloka 50

The Caturmasya Observances and the Rite of Vishnu’s Sleep (Aśūnya-Śayana) and Shiva’s Monthly Vows

Devanagari script

समोदकं तथा सर्पिः प्रीणनं विनिवेदयेत् दक्षिणा च सनैवेद्यं सृगाजिनमुदाहृतम्

Transliteration

samodakaṃ tathā sarpiḥ prīṇanaṃ vinivedayet dakṣiṇā ca sanaivedyaṃ sṛgājinamudāhṛtam

Translation

应奉献令人欢悦的供品：调和之水（掺入某物）以及酥油（ghṛta）。而作为供养之资（dakṣiṇā），连同食供（naivedya），据说应为一张鹿皮（sṛgājina）。

Word by Word

• स-उदकम्: together with water
• स-उदकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; अव्ययीभाव: स- (सहित) + उदकम् = ‘with water’; qualifies (naivedya/prīṇana)

• तथा: likewise / also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• सर्पिः: ghee
• सर्पिः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्पिस्/सर्पि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; listed item (elliptic object in injunction context)

• प्रीणनम्: a pleasing offering / propitiation
• प्रीणनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीणन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of vinivedayet

• विनिवेदयेत्: should offer / present
• विनिवेदयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु) with नि-वि- (उपसर्ग), causative stem निवेदय (णिच्)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; causative (णिच्): ‘should present/offer’

• दक्षिणा: a fee / gift (dakṣiṇā)
• दक्षिणा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; listed item (gift)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• स-नैवेद्यम्: together with food-offering (naivedya)
• स-नैवेद्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; अव्ययीभाव: ‘along with naivedya’; qualifies dakṣiṇā/udāhṛtam (as prescribed)

• सृग-अजिनम्: a jackal-skin
• सृग-अजिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृग (प्रातिपदिक) + अजिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): सृगस्य अजिनम्

• उदाहृतम्: is declared / prescribed
• उदाहृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-आ-√हृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative Singular; predicative: ‘is stated/prescribed’ (elliptic ‘iti’)

Speakers

• Pulastya to Nārada (dialogue framework typical of the Purāṇa)

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Śaṅkara)

Key Themes

• Shaivism
• Vrata/Rituals
• Bhakti
• Dana (dakṣiṇā)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Devotion is expressed through disciplined offering and generosity: worship (naivedya) is paired with dakṣiṇā (giving), indicating that piety is incomplete without dāna and proper ritual respect.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

It aligns most closely with Ācāra/Dharma-style material embedded within Purāṇic narration (often treated under ancillary dharma sections rather than the core five marks like sarga/pratisarga). Functionally, it supports dharma instruction within the narrative frame.

What is the symbolic significance?

Ghee and prepared water symbolize purification and nourishment offered to the deity; the deer-skin evokes ascetic/vaidika imagery (ṛṣi-ideal), linking household worship to the austerity tradition and legitimizing the rite with Vedic resonance.